Ceasefire Allows 15,000 Cambodians to Return Home as Authorities Confirm 323 Houses Damaged

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Jan. 2, 2026)— Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior said Thursday that the ceasefire with Thailand continues to hold, enabling more than 15,000 displaced civilians to return home even as authorities confirmed widespread property damage from last month’s fighting. 

In a press release covering the period from 6 p.m. Jan. 1 to 1 p.m. Jan. 2, officials reported that 15,624 displaced persons had resumed residence in their villages, reducing the remaining displaced population to 393,640, including more than 206,000 women and 126,000 children. More than 240,000 Cambodians have returned since the ceasefire agreement was signed Dec. 27. 

Updated assessments show damage to 323 civilian houses, along with gas stations, schools, health centers, markets, vehicles, warehouses and other facilities. Public infrastructure losses include schools, hospitals, bridges, government buildings and road sections. 

Essential services are gradually resuming in border provinces, though hundreds of schools and health centers remain closed. All schools in Koh Kong have reopened, while dozens in Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey remain shut. Authorities said 84 villages in Oddar Meanchey are still inaccessible due to safety concerns, including unexploded ordnance. 

The ministry reiterated Prime Minister Hun Manet’s position that the ceasefire does not involve territorial concessions and urged citizens to reject misinformation. It also paid tribute to fallen soldiers and wished a speedy recovery for the wounded.